Principals
Linda McCabe, CEO and founder of Optimal Level, is a facilitator and business strategist with four decades in leadership and proven success in business development, sales and mentoring. Her experience in successfully developing both an existing business in one industry and establishing another company from scratch, in a completely different business environment, has contributed to her visionary leadership and expertise in identifying key issues, beaming into the core of challenges, creative problem solving, and collaborative support.
Linda is a sought after speaker in the Chicagoland area presenting programs covering business strategy and empowerment. She is the coauthor of "Optimal Level: A Woman's Guide to Meeting Life's Challenges," was one of the Business Ledger's 2003 Most Influential Women in Business, and 2004 Member of the Year of the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Chicago Chapter. She currently serves as Board Director of Strategic Forums for NAWBO Chicago. Linda also serves as Education Coordinator for the Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods and Lisle Chambers of Commerce, and as a Facilitator of the monthly Professional Womens Luncheon for the DBR Chamber.
Scott Hershinow is the President of Optimal Level. Prior to joining the company, Scott founded Launch Consulting, Inc., a management consulting firm that specialized in working with entrepreneurs and businesses to transform corporate vision from ideas into action and launch new eras of growth. With more than 22 years of experience, having held executive level positions in each functional area, and having ownership roles in several companies, Scott is uniquely qualified to help his clients reach new levels of success. Scott’s approach is enhanced by his having worked in corporate structures ranging from Fortune 200 to small privately-held companies, as well as by his work in distribution, manufacturing, the trades, retail, business services, and personal services companies.
Scott also serves as Board President of the American Club Association of Chicago’s Entrepreneurs Group; is cofounder of the independent networking group, Give-to-Get Networkers; facilitates the monthly networking programs for both the Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods and Skokie Chambers of Commerce; is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Deerfield; and also serves as the Strategic Forums Development Advisor for the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Chicago Chapter.
Amy L. Riley is Vice President of Corporate Development. She is passionate about people leveraging their strengths and reaching their full potential. Amy helps individuals and organizations to do just that – achieve balance, achieve their full potential and achieve exceptional results. She works with organizations in a variety of ways to close the gap between their strategy – what they want - and performance – what they’re getting.
Amy is a skilled professional in the disciplines of leadership development, coaching, execution, planning, training, and facilitation in organizations. Amy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and a Master’s Degree in Training and Development, with an emphasis in Organization Development, from Loyola University in Chicago. She is certified as a Development Dimensions International (DDI) Facilitator, a Best Year Yet® Program Leader, a Best Year Yet® Coach, a PDI Profilor Facilitator – qualifying her to facilitate the Profilor 360-degree feedback and development process - and as a Certified Professional Behavior Analyst (CPBA) – qualifying her to administer the DISC Personal Profile Tool.
Amy has provided her expertise to organizations in a variety of industries including manufacturing, transportation logistics, banking, social services, non-profit and human resources consulting. She tailors each solution to the organization – meeting the organization and the people where they are.
Amy supports her communities in many ways and is a volunteer member of the Clearbrook Associate Board of Directors – an organization that supports adults and children with special needs.
